Photo Essays

College Rivalry Week: NFL Style

It's rivalry week in college football. The NFL is full of players who took part in these campus battles. Have a look at the impact they have had in the NFL and see which schools produce the best pros.

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Associated Press

Florida vs. Florida State

The Swamp has provided the NFL with a plethora of talent from Pro Bowlers Percy Harvin and Maurkice Pouncey to future stars such as Joe Haden and Aaron Hernandez. Let's not forget a certain former Heisman winner and world-famous backup quarterback, Tim Tebow.

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Associated Press

Florida State vs. Florida

Bobby Bowden's no longer there, but the Seminoles have a history of cultivating current NFL players from Minnesota Vikings quarterback Christian Ponder to New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie to three-time Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin. And, of course, the man with an iron foot, Sebastian Janikowski.

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Associated Press

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech

The soil in Athens is a fertile recruiting ground for future NFL talent, with the likes of Matthew Stafford and A.J. Green making a major impact in the pros. The Bulldogs also count seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Richard Seymour as an alum.

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Associated Press

Georgia Tech vs. Georgia

This is an engineering school that constructs wide receivers specially made for the big time. From "Megatron" -- Calvin Johnson -- to Demaryius Thomas and Stephen Hill, the Yellow Jackets know how to create some buzz in the pros.

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Associated Press

USC vs. Notre Dame

USC is a quarterback factory having produced the likes of Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, Mark Sanchez and Carson Palmer. But the Trojans also do it on the other side of the ball with such illustrious names like Clay Matthews and Troy Polamalu dominating on defense in the NFL.

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Associated Press

Notre Dame vs. USC

The Fighting Irish are the No. 1 team in the nation for the first time since 1993. Yet, Notre Dame was still pumping out pro players before this year's success, including two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Justin Tuck and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate. Unfortunately no Rudy, but there is a Brady. Quinn, not Tom.

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Associated Press

UCLA vs. Stanford

UCLA has become a college football powerhouse capturing the Pac-12 South title this season. Though known for their basketball tradition, the Bruins have had a few names of note make an impact in the NFL, including Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis. They were both selected in the 2006 NFL Draft.

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Associated Press

Stanford vs. UCLA

There's something about being a Stanford quarterback and being the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. From Bobby Garrett, Jim Plunkett, John Elway to Andrew Luck. It doesn't hurt to mention a couple other Stanford pros such as Toby Gerhart of the Minnesota Vikings and cornerback Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks.

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Associated Press

Michigan vs. Ohio State

Big Blue. The Big House. In the NFL, Michigan alums Tom Brady and Charles Woodson know big games, having played in seven Super Bowls between them. And we need to mention Mario Manningham, who hauled in one of the best catches in Super Bowl history to help the New York Giants defeat Brady's New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI.

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Associated Press

Ohio State vs. Michigan

Tackling machines and defensive menaces -- A.J. Hawk and James Laurinaitis -- had many calling their alma mater "Linebacker U" during their stay at Ohio State. At THE Ohio State University, "Goodbye, Columbus" is usually followed by "Hello, NFL."

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Associated Press

Oregon vs. Oregon State

Football fans know all about the Oregon Ducks' high-powered offense, which averages 51 points per game this season. But, New England Patriots safety Patrick Chung and Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata excel at slowing offenses down, proving that the "Quack Attack" isn't one-dimensional.

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Associated Press

Oregon State vs. Oregon

The most prolific offensive player from Oregon in the league isn't a Duck. Steven Jackson has rushed for nearly 10,000 yards in his career with the St. Louis Rams. Fellow Beaver Matt Moore might not have the numbers Jackson does, but after a season of "Hard Knocks," maybe a life in Hollywood is soon to come.

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Associated Press

Alabama vs. Auburn

Big plays are made by big players. Julio Jones and Trent Richardson are the latest in a long line of talented ex-Crimson Tide players. Along with Mark Barron and Mark Ingram, Tide playmakers usually roll straight into the NFL.

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Associated Press

Auburn vs. Alabama

While Auburn is always the less-heralded school in its Iron Bowl rivalry, Cam Newton and Takeo Spikes are anything but anonymous in the NFL. Newton has dazzled in Carolina and Spikes has anchored NFL defenses since the 1990s.